Bus Enthusiasts & Operating Staff - How to build Relationships

[lakeland844]

Hello, I am an operational member of staff with one of the major national bus companies in North West England. I am a life long bus enthusiast and although I don't take numbers I have an empathy with those that enjoy their hobby and in the past have supported them whenever I can. (Depot visits etc)

However, a few weeks ago, two 'enthusiasts' boarded my bus early in the morning in the Great Border City (Carlisle) and immediately started to give me a hard time because the allocated vehicle was a single decker instead of the rostered double decker - this was not my fault - the allocated vehicle was not available so the single deck was substituted. Due to this working being the early morning to Center Parcs near Penrith, we loaded to 30+, the vast majority of passengers being workers from the same Center Parcs workers bubble at the drivers discretion.

Upon arrival at Penrith, the said enthusiasts then came forward and took issue with the fact that I had loaded 30+ passengers onto a single deck vehicle when the advisory maximum at the time was 19 - at the drivers discretion! When I pointed out the advisory notice for the capacity, they then stated that they would complain to the company as I had (in their opinion) overloaded the vehicle!
They then had the total arrogance to expect me to pose the vehicle for photographs at Penrith before continuing to Center Parcs!

Such people cause untold harm to the hobby - most bus drivers are decent blokes and lasses who will do their best to accommodate enthusiasts whenever possible but people like this leave a bad taste in the mouth. I have to say I lost patience with such arrogance and unfortunately this episode has tainted my view of bus enthusiasts and how I will treat them in the future.

Please tell me I'm wrong!

 

[Flange Squeal]

There are good and bad in most hobbies and interests, be it transport enthusiasm, sports spectators, etc. It is the minority that cause issues, with the majority either just getting on with their hobby peacefully (sometimes you may not even know!), or being polite about it. Admittedly it is sometimes hard to remember when it's the minority that, through their actions, become the most memorable, but it's just a case of trying to forget it and move on - easier said than done I know! Otherwise you just end up stressing yourself out, and they definitely don't deserve you doing that to yourself! A local independent to me, for whom I've done a bit of casual work, had a known enthusiast enter their yard one day and stick badges to several of their vehicles! As if tinkering with an operator's vehicles isn't bad enough, they weren't even the right badges! But they've not let that taint their view of enthusiasts and seem to keep up a good rapport with most commenters on their social media channels. Hopefully you'll feel able to give future enthusiasts a chance and the encounter will help restore your view that not all are bad.

 

[KINSEY.]

They sound like absolute idiots tbh.

 

[GusB]

Sadly, there's nothing much you can really do about it, other than explain to them that you're not the proper channel for such complaints (and enthusiasts should know that). While internally you're probably muttering all the expletives under the sun (understandably), on the exterior you have to be the polite face of the organisation you work for and not appear to let it bother you.

Sometimes I wonder if we have access to too much information these days, such as knowing what bus is on what route. In my day we just had to wait and see what turned up. #oldfart

 

[cnjb8]

Hello, I am an operational member of staff with one of the major national bus companies in North West England. I am a life long bus enthusiast and although I don't take numbers I have an empathy with those that enjoy their hobby and in the past have supported them whenever I can. (Depot visits etc)

However, a few weeks ago, two 'enthusiasts' boarded my bus early in the morning in the Great Border City (Carlisle) and immediately started to give me a hard time because the allocated vehicle was a single decker instead of the rostered double decker - this was not my fault - the allocated vehicle was not available so the single deck was substituted. Due to this working being the early morning to Center Parcs near Penrith, we loaded to 30+, the vast majority of passengers being workers from the same Center Parcs workers bubble at the drivers discretion.

Upon arrival at Penrith, the said enthusiasts then came forward and took issue with the fact that I had loaded 30+ passengers onto a single deck vehicle when the advisory maximum at the time was 19 - at the drivers discretion! When I pointed out the advisory notice for the capacity, they then stated that they would complain to the company as I had (in their opinion) overloaded the vehicle!
They then had the total arrogance to expect me to pose the vehicle for photographs at Penrith before continuing to Center Parcs!

Such people cause untold harm to the hobby - most bus drivers are decent blokes and lasses who will do their best to accommodate enthusiasts whenever possible but people like this leave a bad taste in the mouth. I have to say I lost patience with such arrogance and unfortunately this episode has tainted my view of bus enthusiasts and how I will treat them in the future.

Please tell me I'm wrong!

Of course they were being rude over something extremely petty. You were providing a service that they used, and they seemed way less than appreciative.
You said it was a few weeks ago, did they end up filing a compliant?

 

[DunsBus]

I remember Arriva Yorkshire calling a halt several years ago to organised depot tours due to the behaviour of several so-called "enthusiasts". It always takes the idiots to spoil it for everyone else!

 

[LSWR Cavalier]

Of course buses have notices: 'Do not speak to or distract the driver while the vehicle is moving'.

 

[Titfield]

One tactic you could use which I have sometimes seen employed to good effect.

Say to the "complainers" that you recognise their concerns and consider it essential that their concerns are properly considered and addressed by the company management.

Then ask for their names and contact details.

This often takes the wind out of peoples sails and makes them think twice about continuing.

 

[Statto]

I remember Arriva Yorkshire calling a halt several years ago to organised depot tours due to the behaviour of several so-called "enthusiasts". It always takes the idiots to spoil it for everyone else!

Arriva now have a blanket ban on people turning up at their depots unless on official business, after incidents of enthusiasts going into unauthorised areas at an open day, then abusing Arriva staff when questioned why they were there don' they?

 

[DunsBus]

Arriva now have a blanket ban on people turning up at their depots unless on official business, after incidents of enthusiasts going into unauthorised areas at an open day, then abusing Arriva staff when questioned why they were there don' they?

If I remember correctly, it was one such open day at an Arriva Yorkshire depot which resulted in the ban. Two individuals wandered off into the workshop and were caught by a member of Arriva staff in the pit area, underneath a vehicle that was being worked on. When challenged by the staff member, he was told by them to "f*** off".

That was it for the Arriva depot tours!

 

[Aictos]

If I remember correctly, it was one such open day at an Arriva Yorkshire depot which resulted in the ban. Two individuals wandered off into the workshop and were caught by a member of Arriva staff in the pit area, underneath a vehicle that was being worked on. When challenged by the staff member, he was told by them to "f*** off".

That was it for the Arriva depot tours!

I hope they were then escorted off the premises and barred from travelling with Arriva Yorkshire?

 

[DunsBus]

I hope they were then escorted off the premises and barred from travelling with Arriva Yorkshire?

I think they were. On both counts.

 

[GaryMcEwan]

A few home truths and honesty never hurt anyone.

Although instead of muttering said expletives, I'd say it directly to them and deal with the consequences.

I've seen a fair few in Glasgow hanging about Buchanan Bus Station and got the sharp end of SPT station staff's tongue, much to my amusement.

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

Sadly, there are always individuals like this. I seem to recall that Go North East had a similar issue with some specific individuals wandering into their depot in Percy Main.

I would point out that, and it may be the case here, is that some of these people may have particular issues in relation to autism disorders. Might explain why they got bent out of shape that a decker wasn't there. However, that doesn't excuse their behaviour. Sadly, I have seen too many instances of similar stuff at bus rallies etc which is why I don't bother with them.

 

[miklcct]

However, a few weeks ago, two 'enthusiasts' boarded my bus early in the morning in the Great Border City (Carlisle) and immediately started to give me a hard time because the allocated vehicle was a single decker instead of the rostered double decker - this was not my fault - the allocated vehicle was not available so the single deck was substituted. Due to this working being the early morning to Center Parcs near Penrith, we loaded to 30+, the vast majority of passengers being workers from the same Center Parcs workers bubble at the drivers discretion.

I will definitely file a formal complaint to the bus company if a rostered double decker is replaced by a single decker and it refuses to carry me because it is full.

 

[GaryMcEwan]

I will definitely file a formal complaint to the bus company if a rostered double decker is replaced by a single decker and it refuses to carry me because it is full.

I'm sure the company would take your complaint seriously.

What said rostered double decker had a fault or needed urgent repairs and a single decker was all that was available?

If it's full, then wait and get the next one. Simple enough really.

 

[didbygraham]

There are always a few that spoil things for everyone else and give enthusiasts a bad name. It really annoys me at bus rallies how some so called enthusiasts get angry when unsuspecting members of the public happen to wander in to "their" shot, usually to read the notices on the bus. There is no need for this behaviour at all.

 

[Aictos]

What companies actually do open days though, I know Delaine of Bourne have a Heritage Trust which arranges a open day on the 2nd Saturday of every month but curious to know if any other operator does anything similar?

 

[Bayum]

They sound like absolute idiots tbh.

They sound like someone on the spectrum, actually.

 

[XAM2175]

I will definitely file a formal complaint to the bus company if a rostered double decker is replaced by a single decker and it refuses to carry me because it is full.

Noting that nobody was denied travel in the example given by the original poster

 

[carlberry]

I will definitely file a formal complaint to the bus company if a rostered double decker is replaced by a single decker and it refuses to carry me because it is full.

I'm not aware of many companies that specify that a certain type of vehicle will operate a service. Even if a coach spec vehicle or open topper is advertised there is usually a get out that a substitute may have to be provided. If the bus (or any size) is full most companies will try to deal with the situation, however the 'complaint' in the op appears just to be that people expected a double decker and didn't get it.

 

[Bayum]

Sounds very much like a pair on ‘the spectrum’. Very much black and white thinking - this should be a double decker, why is it not a double decker? I don’t care if they’re all broken - it should be a double decker.
The sign says 19 - but it says 19. Yes driver’s discretion; it says 19.

I’m not using that as an excuse but more as a way of recognising that some people aren’t being anal and petty to be a nuisance.

 

[Robertj21a]

I will definitely file a formal complaint to the bus company if a rostered double decker is replaced by a single decker and it refuses to carry me because it is full.

Really, are you being serious?

Which companies are you thinking of that guarantee the type of bus allocated?

 

[L401CJF]

Really, are you being serious?

Which companies are you thinking of that guarantee the type of bus allocated?

The only time I can see this being an issue has been before the last capacity upping, Stagecoach Wirral had been allocating a single decker to the board that operates the last Liverpool to Chester service of an evening. They had previously cut the 2 services after this one to run short trips to Rock Ferry depot only, and a number of militant drivers were refusing to go over the advisory capacity of I think 30 despite being the last bus of the night in that direction thus leaving people stranded. I'd say in this situation, certainly worth a complaint. Not necessarily a complaint over the drivers for enforcing capacity but definitely raising the issue of allocation when a number of the early evening run-ins had been allocated deckers.

I've been driving buses for 7 years and never had issues with bus spotters in work, but when I took my (now brothers) preserved step dart to a show it got a number of furious comments on Facebook after the show complaining that it had a Wirral area blind fitted (not original) and I had left West Yorkshire Metro posters on the interior. I replied with if theyd be willing to donate me £500 as quoted to have an original made I'd be more than happy to fit an original blind. I also said the posters give it more of a "bus" feel and if I wanted them there then they would be staying!

Needless to say they didn't reply, didn't send me £500, and 5 years later the WY posters are still in place. Did source an original blind though!

 

[Aictos]

I've been driving buses for 7 years and never had issues with bus spotters in work, but when I took my (now brothers) preserved step dart to a show it got a number of furious comments on Facebook after the show complaining that it had a Wirral area blind fitted (not original) and I had left West Yorkshire Metro posters on the interior. I replied with if theyd be willing to donate me £500 as quoted to have an original made I'd be more than happy to fit an original blind. I also said the posters give it more of a "bus" feel and if I wanted them there then they would be staying!

Needless to say they didn't reply, didn't send me £500, and 5 years later the WY posters are still in place. Did source an original blind though!

Funny that, making a petty complaint yet when asked to donate to bring the vehicle to a acceptable condition in the view of those making the complaint they suddenly shut up

 

[skyhigh]

I will definitely file a formal complaint to the bus company if a rostered double decker is replaced by a single decker and it refuses to carry me because it is full.

Feel free to crack on with that, just don't take it out on the driver.

Although, 99% of operators won't promise to schedule a particular type of vehicle, and if due to circumstances outside their control the only options are to substitute a single decker or cancel the service, which would you prefer? They don't send out smaller vehicles on busy duties for the fun of it......

 

[bobslack1982]

I will definitely file a formal complaint to the bus company if a rostered double decker is replaced by a single decker and it refuses to carry me because it is full.

And I’m sure that complaint would be filed in the most appropriate place for it.

 

[175mph]

And I’m sure that complaint would be filed in the most appropriate place for it.

In the bin.

On the other end of the scale, I've seen bus enthusiasts react like Christmas has come early when instead of the usual orange liveried buses being used on the 350 route between Scunthorpe and Hull, an ordinary liveried bus is utilized, but then throw a strop when the usual orange buses are used.

Whilst on the subject of bus enthusiasts behavior, has anyone here known any bus companies make any changes to give in to pressure from bus enthusiasts? It's just I remember about three, maybe four years ago an independent bus company changed the layout of the text on their destination displays so that for example, instead of it saying

4 Brigg
Via Broughton

It would instead say

4 Ashby - Lakeside - Broughton
Brigg

When I asked a driver why that was, they said it was because a group of bus enthusiasts stormed the offices and pressured the manager into making that change because they had seen another operator use that text layout on their destination displays.

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

And I’m sure that complaint would be filed in the most appropriate place for it.

Let's get this right....

The original complaint from these enthusiasts was NOT that passengers had been left behind. They were losing their "heads" over the fact that they had expected a decker and it their expectations were not met. They then took issue with their perceived breaking of rules by the driver when, of course, it is at the driver's discretion who had taken the view that given the circumstances and NOT wishing to leave people behind, they would exercise that judgment. Whatever the individual circumstances of the individuals, they are wrong to take it out on the driver.

On a wider basis, it is perfectly reasonable to make a complaint to a bus company if a vehicle is of insufficient capacity or doesn't turn up altogether.

Perhaps it's me but I've never seen the attraction of travelling on x bus or y bus (or even individual vehicles) generally. I mean, I've done stuff like travelling on one of the Harrogate Electrics to see what one is like but it's no biggie. In this instance however, you have people simply "shooting the messenger" and for what? Because the type of bus they wanted to see wasn't there? Thankfully, people like this in the bus fraternity are a very small minority; it's just unfortunate that their actions will last longer in the memory than those who behave themselves.

 

[miklcct]

I've never seen the attraction of travelling on x bus or y bus

Sorry but that's not true. I see the attraction of travelling on a certain model of bus, for example, that model has the best performance running motorways and allocated on a certain motorway route, or that model of bus provides the greatest capacity and allocated on the busiest route in town.

I also see the attraction of travelling on railways of 300 km/h (or whatever the fastest train in the country) such that I even want to plan a trip to Dover through London for that high speed experience!

And, if the OP's situation happens on a vehicle I'm travelling, that a driver allows too many passengers to board (for example, getting 40 standing passengers on a bus licensed to carry only 10 standing passengers), I may even stop the driver running an overloaded vehicle and call the police thinking that it's unsafe, but only if the vehicle is loaded over the legal limit (not an advisory limit).